The nation faced a choice on Tuesday between two distinguished candidates. Americans were bound to choose a leader to guide the country through the immense challenges facing it today. And as the vote drew ever nearer, it became more and more clear.
And on Tuesday night, they made their choice known. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois will be the next president.
At the time of printing, not all votes had been counted, but the exit polls gave Sen. Obama an undeniable advantage. Most of the swing states had even been conceded to the man who will become the country’s first African American president.
“We have come to the end of a long journey,” said Sen. John McCain to his supporters on Tuesday night. “The people of America have spoken and they have spoken clearly [...] A moment ago I had the opportunity to call Senator Obama and congratulate him.”
McCain called for unity and support of the new president as he conceded the presidency to his opponent. He quelled boos from the crowd, thanking them for their support, but encouraging them to move forward without regrets.
President-elect Barack Obama gave his victory speech to an overjoyed and emotional crowd in Grant Park in downtown Chicago, Ill.
“I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you,” said a gracious Obama to the overwhelmed crowd at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. The Reverend Jesse Jackson, who stood by with tears streaming, as did many of the one hundred thousand Americans from diverse backgrounds who had gathered in support of Obama.
“This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change.”
The People Speak
With Wall Street in a volatile state of unpredictability, housing markets down, banks going bust, and unemployment on the rise, the economy was by far the most important issue on people’s minds.
